Warp letoff control system

ABSTRACT

A control system using electronic components to detect and control the operation of a knitting machine. The control system operates to reliably control the length of yarn which is &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;let off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; or removed from a warp (yarn supply) in accordance with the operation of the knitting machine.

United States Patent 1191 Dorsman et al.

t) BEBE Q Q 26 WARP LETOF F CONTROL SYSTEM Inventors: Adrian K. Dorsman, Bellflower;

Clark F. Adams, Anaheim, both of Calif.

North American Rockwell Corporation, El Segundo, Calif.

Filed: May 22, 1972 Appl. N0.: 255,472

Assignee:

US. Cl 235/l5l.32, 235/1513, 226/30, 73/462 Int. Cl. G06m 1/272, B65h 59/02 Field of Search 235/1513, 151.32; 226/30; 318/445, 467; 73/462 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/l97l Mutziger 235/l5l.32 X l/l966 Strandberg 235/l5l.32

CONTROLLER l Dec. 25, 1973 3,663,806 5/1972 Drankhan 6131. 235/151.32 3,600,562 8/1971 DlNlCOlanlonlO 6131. 235/151.32 2,883,651 4/1959 Akerlund 235/1513 x 3,591,776 7/1971 Sylvester 235/15132 x 3,406,601 lO/l968 Clifford 235/15132 3,228,251 1/1966 Trimble 73/462 3,667,664 6/1972 Schroeder 226/30 3,561,654 2/l97l Greiner 226/30 X Primary ExaminerEugene G. Botz Assistant ExaminerEdward 1. Wise Attorney-L. Lee l-lumphries et al.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A control system using electronic components to detect and control the operation of a knitting machine. The control system operates to reliably control the length of yarn which is let off or removed from a warp (yarn supply) in accordance with the operation of the knitting machine.

20 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 12 13 1 YARN -T0 FABRIC FABRIC convmsa TAKE-UP PATENTEUUECZS i975 sum 1 a? 3 CONTROLLER "6 A s c 0 Q gas 23/ 25 H l2 I3 I YARN TO FABRIC FABRIC CONVERTER V TAKE-UP 42 10 I 4 z I WARP LETOFF CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND There are several types of knitting machines available and known to the art. One of these machines is known as the warp knitting machine. This type of knitting machine is capable of turning out fabrics, laces and other involved and intricate textiles in a variety of weights, textures and patterns. The modern warp knitting machine, in a functional sense, consists of three principal assemblies: (1) the yarn (or warp) letoff system, (2) yam-to-fabric converter, and (3) fabric takeup system.

Briefly, these assemblies serve the functions noted hereinafter. The warp letoff system consists of the mechanism which is necessary to provide multiple yarns (warp), which are prewound on cylindrical beams, to the yam-to-fabric converter at a specified rate and under controlled tension. The yam-to-fabric converter includes the needles, guides, sinker bars and the like as well as any other mechanisms required to provide complex, synchronized, and interacting movement of these elements, to effect the knitting process. This assembly, operating on the multiple yarn strands from the warp letoff system, performs the looping and interfacing functions prescribed by the design specification in order to produce the finished fabric or textile. The fabric takeup assembly draws off the finished fabric or textile from the yarn-to-fabric converter at a prescribed rate and winds it onto a suitable form.

The warp letoff system is the portion of the knitting machine which is concerned with the subject invention. The overall function of the warp letoff system is to supply yarn to the needles, via the guide bars, at a rate commensurate with and determined by the stitch construction in accordance with known industry standards. This rate is a variable and is dictated by a manual runner length setting. In most embodiments, this setting is expressed in units, e.g. inches, of yarn per machine cycle and provides a control input to the warp letoff control system. Other control parameters are supplied to the warp letoff control system as defined hereinafter. These inputs operate to establish the actual yarn letoff from the warp or beam within a defined accuracy limit.

In the past, a mechanical letoff control system has been utilized with satisfactory efficiency. However, this mechanical control system, while functional, is quite bulky and expensive. The subject invention provides a fully automatic, electronically operated, letoff control system which is less expensive than the mechanical device as well as being substantially smaller in size and weight. In addition, the electronic control system exhibits greater reliability and accuracy in the control operation and is much easier to set up to the desired runner length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The control system which forms the subject of this invention includes an electronic circuit which operates upon input signals supplied thereto. Input signals representative of the desired runner length (i.e. length of yarn supplied by the warp) are supplied to the control system. Also, input signals representative of the drive shaft rotation and signals representative of the linear velocity of the yarn are supplied to the control system. The shaft signal is representative of the rotational speed of the drive shaft which is substantially constant,

but may assume one or more prescribed speeds under program control. The warp signal represents the linear speed at the periphery of the warp and varies as the diameter of the warp is reduced when yarn is removed from the beam if the beam rotational velocity is not increased to compensate for the removal. The circuit operates upon the input signals and provides output signals representative of the relationships between these input signals. Output signals are supplied to a variable drive system and to output control indicators. The variable drive means causes the beam speed to vary (e.g. increase) as a function of the variation (e.g. decrease) in diameter of the warp on the beamwhcreby the runner length" is maintained substantially constant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a knitting machine including the control circuit of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the circuit which forms the instant invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are more detailed logic diagrams of portions of the circuit shown in FIG. 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the following description, similar elements in the several drawings bear similar reference numerals.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a knitting machine and an associated warp letoff controller which forms the subject invention. In particular, the knitting machine is shown generally at 10. Warp (or coil yarn) is prewound on a suitable cylindrical shaft or beam 30. Attached to shaft 30 is a suitable pulley or sheave 16 which is coupled to sheave 21 via a suitable coupling mechanism 28. Coupling mechanism 28 may represent a suitable drive element such as a gear train, chain, belt or the like. Sheave 21 is attached to the shaft of variable speed drive 20. Variable speed drive 20 may be any suitable type of variable speed drive such as a friction drive (commonly known as a Floyd drive), hydrostatic drives and/or variable speed belt drives. These type of drives are known in the art.

The yarn from warp 11 is supplied to yam-to-fabric converter 12 wherein the knitting process is performed. The fabric produced by converter 12 is supplied to fabric takeup 13 which may include a suitable roller or the like. Thus, knitting mechanism 10 operates such that variable speed drive 20 drives beam 30 via the coupling apparatus including coupler 28 whereby yarn 27 is supplied to converter 12. Fabric from converter 12 is stored on takeup 13. Variable speed drive 20 is driven by main drive means 41 which may be any suitable prime mover which is synchronous with the yarn-tofabric converter drive. Drive means 41 is connected to variable speed drive 20, converter 12 and take-up 13 by a suitable mechanical linkage 40.

Controller 14 is utilized in order to assure proper operation of the knitting mechanism. That is, the length of the runner of yarn 27 supplied to converter 12 is controlled by controller 14 to a relatively accurate dimension. In particular, sensor 15, which may be a photoelectric, magnetic or the like sensor, detects the angular velocity or rotational speed of shaft 42 of drive means 41. A signal representative of the speed of shaft 42 is supplied to controller 14 via. line 32. In addition,

roller 18 is driven by the outer circumference of warp 1!. Roller 18 is held in contact with the surface of warp 11 by means of a suitable arrangement suggested by spring 19 which biases roller 18 against warp 11. This construction arrangement is, of course, only illustrative and is not intended to be limitative of the invention. Sensor 17 which may also be a photoelectric, electromagnetic or the like sensor similar to sensor 15, detects the rotational velocity of roller 18 which is proportional to the peripheral velocity of warp 11 and, thus, the linear velocity of yarn 27. Sensor 17 supplies signals representative of this speed characteristic to controller 14 along line 33.

A plurality of switches 24, which may be rotary switches, pushbutton switches or the like, are utilized to manually set in the length of runner which is to be taken from warp 1 1. The number of switches 24, in the preferred'embodiment, is four but a different number of these switches may be utilized as required by the spe' cific configuration of the circuit.

Controller 14, as will be seen hereinafter, operates upon the signals supplied by sensors 15 and 17 as a function of the signal inserted via switches 24. Controller 14 produces a signal representative of this relationship and supplies the signal along line 31 to variable drive means 20. The signal on line 31 is effectively operative to alter, if necessary, the rotational speed of variable speed device 20 to produce a runner letoff within the prescribed dimensional limits from warp 11.

Controller 14 includes indicator lights 22 and 23 which, respectively, indicate whether the variable speed drive 20 is currently operating fast or slow relative to the ideal speed condition. Also, indicator lights 25 and 26 are utilized to indicate whether the runner letoff is within prescribed dimensional limitations, e.g. within one inch of the desired length. Thus, the operator can determine whether or not the system is operating within limits and, if not, whether the system is correcting in the appropriate manner.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of the control circuit for the instant invention. Shaft sensor 15 (which may be any suitable type of sensing apparatus) is connected via line 32 to the input of adjustable divider 50. Line 32 may comprise a shielded cable wherein the shield is connected to ground. Divider 50 may be of any conventional design and is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. Generally,

however, in this application divider selectively produces output signals of one half or one times'the frequency of the signals supplied by sensor 15. Adjustable divider 50 is controlled, in part, by signal X described hereinafter. The output of adjustable divider 50 is connected to conventional divider 67. In this embodiment divider 67 divides by a factor of 32. Thus, the frequency of the signal produced by sensor 15 is divided by 32 or 64 in accordance with the condition of adjustable divider 50.

One output of divider 67 is connected to an input of one shot circuit 51. One shot 51 is of conventional design and is known in the art. The output of one shot 51 is connected to an input of one shot 78. The output of one shot 78 is connected to an input of buffer 52. One shot 78 and buffer 52 are of conventional design.

The above noted output of one shot 51 (labelled C is also connected to one input of flip-flop 66. Also, the C signal is supplied to storage latch 81 and multiple gate 74 described hereinafter. Signal C is further applied to an input of gate 68. The output of gate 68 is connected to a load consisting of capacitor 77 which is referenced to ground and to an input of gate 76. The output of gate 76 is connected to an input of one shot 75. The Q output of one shot and the Q output of flip-flop 66 are connected to separate inputs of AND gate 71.

Sensor 17 is connected via line 33 to an input of one shot 69. The output terminal of one shot 69 is connected to one input terminal of gate 72 and supplies the signal C The output of gate 71 is also connected to an input of gate 72 and supplies the signal C The output of gate 72 is connected to an input of adjustable divider 73 which is shown in detail in FIG. 4. The function of adjustable divider 73 is similar to the function of adjustable divider S0 and is controlled, in part, by the signal X produced by buffer 82 as described hereinafter.

The output of adjustable divider 73 is connected to an input of down counter or divider 70. The inputs of divider 70 and adjustable divider 73 are connected to outputs of multiple gate 74 via lines P and N. Lines P and N represent the appropriate number of lead lines to transfer the pertinent information. The inputs of gate 74 are connected to switches 24A through 24D to receive signals therefrom. The outputs of divider 70 are connected to decoding logic circuit 79 which produces an output signal representative of the signals supplied thereto. The outputs of logic circuit 79 are connected to storage latch 81 which (when enabled by signal C provides a suitable signal at an input to buffer 82.

Two of the output terminals of buffer 82 are connected to indicators 25 and 26 discussed relative to FIG. 1. In addition, other output terminals of buffer 82 are connected to control motor 63 (which may be a stepper motor) and to indicators 22 and 23. Control motor 61 is connected to control operation of variable speed drive 20.

In the operation of the circuit, concurrent reference is made to all of the figures. Switches 24A through 24D are utilized to manually set into the control system, signals representative of the desired length of the runner letoff yarn. For example, switch 24A controls the runner letoff dimensions in terms of approximately one quarter of an inch. Similarly, switches 24B, 24C and 24D control the runner letoff dimension in terms of l, 10 and inches, respectively. Of course, the specific letoff dimensions recited above are not fixed and can be adjusted to the individual utilization of the device. Moreover, the dimensions may not be in inches but may be in meters or the like.

The signals representative of the settings of switches 24A through 24D are applied to multiple gate 74. The signals supplied by switches 24A through 24D essen tially provide information to gate 74. With the application of the enable signal C (described hereinafter), gate 74 is enabled and the data information supplied by switches 24A through 24D is transferred to adjustable divider 73 and countdown divider 70, along lines P and N, respectively. Of course, the actual circuitry of gate 74 may be included in the divider networks in some configurations. In that case, switches 24A through 24D would be connected directly to the divider/gate circuit. Moreover, as noted supra, switches 24A through 24D need not be limited in number to four but may be any number greater than or less than the four illustrated.

One input to the system is supplied through the switch controls.

Shaft sensor 15, shown best in FIG. 1, is arranged adjacent to shaft 42 which forms a portion of the machine drive train. Shaft 42 may be located at the main drive motor 41 or at any other proportionally synchronized part of the machine drive train where uniform operation of the machine is produced. A pulse train representative of the rotation of shaft 42 is supplied along line 32 to adjustable divider 50 which is described relative to FIG. 3. Divider 50 produces output signals representative of the input signals supplied thereto. As suggested supra, depending upon the condition of the signal X, divider 50 supplies to divider 67 output signals equal in frequency to the input signal train or one half that frequency. The half frequency (i.e. divide-bytwo) state of divider 50 is the normal state while the divide-by-one state is the excess error i.e. fast or slow run state.

The output signal from divider 67 is supplied to one shot 51 to represent another count function of the input signal. For example, the signal supplied to one shot 51 represents every sixty-fourth input signal (in the normal state). This count function is related to the machine operation cycle and permits greater control accuracy. In response to the input signal from divider 67, one shot 51 produces output signal C As suggested supra, the leading edge of signal C is supplied to and enables multiple gate 74 such that the information applied to the gate from switches 24A through 24D is transferred to and stored in divider 70. In addition, signal C is supplied to storage latch 81 to enable this circuit whereby the signals supplied thereto from decoding logic circuit 79 are also determined on the leading edge of the signal C The signals generated by storage latch 81 are applied to buffer 82. In accordance with the signal conditions presented at the decoding logic (see Table I) the indicators 22 or 23 and 25 or 26 are illuminated. Also, a signal of appropriate polarity is supplied to control motor 61 whereby the motor can, when enabled, selectively affect the operation of variable speed drive 20.

The trailing edge of the C signal is used to initiate operation of one shot 78, flip-flop 66 and, via gates 68 and 76, one shot 75. When one shot 78 is operated, the shapedand stretched signal C is applied to buffer 52. This signal is operated upon and amplified by buffer 52 and then supplied to control motor 61. The signal from buffer 52 essentially enables control motor 61 which is then rendered operative in accordance with the signals supplied by buffer 82. That is, the signals from buffer 82 are continuously supplied to control motor 61. However, control motor 61 is not rendered operative until signal C is supplied to buffer 52. At that time, control motor 61 affects the operation of variable speed drive 20. Consequently, variable speed drive will increase (or decrease) the rotational speed of shaft 16 (see FIG. 1) as determined by decoding logic circuit 79, described hereinafter.

In addition, the trailing edge of signal C is supplied to gate 68. Gate 68 is connected in the logical NAND configuration and, via capacitor 77, controls the input of gate 76. Gate 76 is also connected in the logical NAND configuration but does not react to an output signal from gate 68 until the switching threshold of gate 76 has been achieved. That is, while capacitor 77 is charging to the switching threshold voltage of gate 76,

there is no change in the operation of gate 76. In effect, gates 68 and 76 provide a delay in the application of the trailing edge of signal C s to the input of one shot 75.

Also, the trailing edge of the C signal is effective to cause flip-flop 66 to change operating state. The 0 output of flip-flop 66 is supplied to an input of AND gate 71. The Q output or signal C B of one shot 75 is supplied to another input of AND gate 71. In essence, the purpose of gates 68 and 76 in delaying the operation of one shot 75 is to assure that the operation of flip-flop 66 has settled and that a transient condition is not inadvertently established or detected. When the Q signal from flip-flop 66 and the C signal from one shot 75 are simultaneously of predetermined levels, for example, both positive or true, gate 71 produces an output signal C,- which is supplied to adjustable divider 73 via gate 72. Conversely, if one of the signals Q or C is not of the prescribed level, an output signal C is not produced by gate 71. Since a pulse is produced at the Q output only for every second signal C signal C F is supplied to adjustable divider 73 (via gate 72) only on every other clock pulse, i.e. signal C Thus, the countdown signal normally supplied by warp sensor 17 to decoding logic 79 via adjustable divider 73 and down counter is adjusted (i.e. increased by one count) during alternate C signals. The purpose of this operation is discussed hereinafter.

Warp sensor 17 produces a pulse train which is representative of the linear velocity of the yarn, and more particularly the rotational speed at the periphery of the warp. Obviously, as yarn is withdrawn from the beam, the circumference of the warp will decrease whereby shorter runner lengths will be produced for a given number of revolutions of the beam. Consequently, the signals from warp sensor 17 are utilized to provide an indication of this instantaneous condition so that a modification in the speed of shaft 16 can be made, if required.

Warp sensor 17 supplies signals representative of the yarn velocity to one shot 69 via line 33. These signals, in effect, relate to the tangential speed of the yarn on beam 11. Output signal C from one shot 69 is supplied to a second input of previously described OR gate 72. The output of OR gate 72 is connected to an input of adjustable divider 73 described hereinafter relative to FIG. 4. For each pulse detected by warp sensor 17, a C pulse is supplied via gate 72 to alter the status of ad-' justable divider 73. That is, the status or count installed in adjustable divider 73 and down counter 70, in response to the settings of switches 24A through 24D, is altered by each signal supplied via gate 72. In particular, the signals supplied via gate 72 cause the combination of adjustable divider 73 and down counter 70 to be counted down rom the preset count, established by the switches, toward a condition of all zeroes or beyond. The instantaneous count condition is supplied to decoding logic circuit 79 by interface line M. This count condition is continuously changing and decoding logic circuit 79 is continually supplying an appropriate signal to storage latch 81.

In effect, the preset count inserted into down counter 70 represents the runner length which is desired to be obtained from the warp. The runner length is a function of the speed of rotation, the number of rotations and the diameter of the warp. Consequently, by taking the signals from warp sensor 17 and counting down the signal condition in down counter 70, decoding logic circuitry 79 can, in effect, establish the length of yarn removed from the beam during a definable time period. This time period is a function of the clock signal C Consequently, as the diameter and the circumference of the warp are reduced as the yarn is removed therefrom, the frequency of the pulses produced by sensor 17 decreases. That is, the tangential speed of the warp decreases whereby the sensor operation decreases. As this pulse frequency decreases, down counter 70 is counted down to a different number between the clock pulse produced by one shot 51 which, essentially, reloads down counter 70 from multiple gate 74 and samples decoding logic 79. Consequently, decoding logic 79 interprets a number which is different from the prescribed number and produces a signal wherein the runner length is indicated to be in error.

The signal produced by decoding logic 79 is applied via storage latch 81 and buffer 82 to control motor 61. Control motor 61 is activated by a pulse from buffer 52 (Le. signal C and steps or moves in a direction dictated by the signal from buffer 82. The activation of motor 61 causes variable speed drive to be altered so that the shaft 16 is driven at a different rotational speed. In a simplified analogy concept, activation of control motor 61 may be considered as changing the gear ratio of variable speed drive 20. That is, since warp sensor 17 through the countdown procedure essentially measures a given distance or length of yarn which is removed from the warp, the same number of counts should, ideally, be produced for each runner in order to maintain the runner length within the prescribed limits of accuracy. However, inasmuch as the diameter of the warp is being continuously reduced as yarn is removed therefrom, the number of rotations of roller 18, and, thus, the number of signals produced by sensor 17 is reduced for each rotation of the warp beam. Therefore, in order to make the appropriate adjustment in the system wherein sensor 17 produces a substantially constant number of pulses between clock pulses C the speed of shaft 16 must be increased. The speed of shaft 16 is increased by adjusting variable speed drive 20 in accordance with the signal supplied to control motor 61 via buffer 82.

As suggested supra, signal X is also produced by buffer 82 is conjunction with the no-go signal indicated by indicator lamp 26. This condition is an error condition which is beyond the acceptable limits for the specific knitting machine wherein a rapid correction operation is desirable. Essentially, the X signal is supplied to adjustable dividers 50 and 73 to alter the operation thereof from a divide-by-two to a divide-by-one operation. In essence, this speeds up the operation of the system by a factor of two. That is, the signals supplied to one shot 51 are divided only by the factor inserted by divider 67. (See FIG. 3 and related description). Similarly, the signals supplied to decoding logic 79 are divided only by down counter 70. (see FIG. 4 and related description). Typically, the signal C produced by one shot 51 would be on every 64th pulse produced by shaft sensor 15. However, in response to the error condition of signal X, the signal C is produced on every 32nd pulse. Thus, the sampling rate is twice the normal rate whereby control motor 61 is stepped at twice the normal rate. Consequently, the control system can achieve the desired rate of speed more rapidly than in the normal condition.

The signals exhibited in Table I relative to each of the. count positions 0-15 represents the signal condition at the output of down counter and adjustable divider 73. These signals are supplied and operated upon by decoding logic 79 wherein a representative signal is supplied to storage latch 81, and, in response to clock signal C to buffer 82. As long as the signals are between counts 4 and 11, as noted supra, the machine is in the g0 condition and indicator 25 is operated. In addition, if the signal supplied is between counts 4 and 7, the machine is running somewhat slow wherein indicator 23 will be operated. Conversely, if the signal is between counts 8 and l 1, the machine is running somewhat fast and indicator 22 will be operated. When the appropriate signal is supplied from buffer 82 to control motor 61, control motor 61 is stepped an appropriate number of steps in response to the signal from power buffer 52. Of course, if the signal is represented by counts 0-3 or 12-15, a no-go condition exists and the no-go indicator 26 is operated along with the appropriate fast or slow indicator.

Moreover, signal X or X is generated by buffer 82 is accordance with the signal supplied thereto. If the signal from decoding logic is in the count positions 4-1 1, signal X is produced while signal X is produced when the decoding signal is in count positions 0-3 and/or 12-15. As discussed supra, signal X causes a speed up operation wherein the machine attempts to approach the appropriate operating condition in a rapid operating mode by adjusting the operation of dividers 50 and 70.

In the so-called normal operating condition, warp sensor 17 supplies signals via one shot 69 and gate 72 to the down counter circuit comprising down counter 70 and adjustable divider 73. These signals are supplied at the rate wherein, ideally, seven counts are produced from gate 72 between consecutive clock pulses C However, in order to avoid a static or deadband condition, the circuit comprising flip-flop 66 and one shot periodically produces an additional pulse C which is supplied to the countdown system.

The foregoing description of the operation of the circuit describes a typical operation. That is, in this type of operation, when the all-zeroes condition is reached in down counter 70, the system does not produce an error signal and the system is in a prescribed running condition. At the all-zeroes condition, i.e. count 7 in Table I, a dead-band running state is achieved and motor 61 is not activated. However, it is sometimes more desirable to have a hunting type of operation by the system in order to prevent the system from establishing a set position and incurring excessive backlash or the like when an error is to be corrected. Consequently, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, flip-flop 66 and one shot 75 operate to selectively produce signal C,- from AND gate 71 on alternate clock signals C As noted supra, the signal C F is transferred via Or gate 72 to adjustable divider 73 to insert an additional count into the down counter operation. That is, in addition to the normally occurring signals C from one shot 69, signal C is inserted into the count down procedure. Thus, instead of the down counter being affected only by the C signals, an additional pulse (in effect C I) is counted by down counter 70 on alternate sampling times by clock pulse C As is seen in Table l reproduced below, in the standard operation, signals C are effective to count down from the initial condition count to the all-zeroes" condition count(7). If the machine is operating more supplied by signal C the oscillation noted above is maintained even though the warp continues to rotate at a seven count rate. It should be noted that the drive motor is alternately driven one step fast, then one step slowly than is desirable, then the counting from count slow even though there may be no change in warp l7.

0 will not reach count 7 between consecutive clock signals C If the machine is operating more rapidly than is desired, then the count will go beyond the all zeroes condition for each alternate clock pulse C In normal operation, the count detected by down counter 70 between consecutive clock pulses will be, initially, a seven count and then an eight count operation. Thus, the signals supplied to decoding logic 79 will alternately be the count (7) or count (8) signals which are applied to the remainder of the circuit and operated upon. Consequently, for each clock pulse C This operation is possible inasmuch as enough backlash exists in motor 61 to prevent changes in speed of warp 71 for alternate fast and slow pulses. If the alternate pulse is not supplied, motor 61 would be driven several pulses in one direction in overcoming the backlash thereby causing warp 17 to change speed (e.g. faster). Consequently, several reverse pulses would be required to overcome the motor backlash before the warp could be again slowed to the proper rate. The average speed attained will be 7.5 counts, which is too fast by a half count as is seen in Table I.

TABLE I DOWN COUNTER TRUTH TABLE L K J 1 H G F E o c B A COUNT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 o 0 o 0 0 o o 0 1 o 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 0 0 0 1 6 SLOW g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 8 1 1 1 o o 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 s z 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 9 FAST a 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 10 O 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 11 Q 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 12 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 13 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 14 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 15 which generates a signal C,,, control motor 61 will receive an operational signal from buffer 82. Control motor 61 will alternately be stepped forward and stepped backward an amount indicated by the count (7) and count (8) signals relative to the normal position. This operation will cause variable speed drive to alternately speed up and slow down wherein a hunting type condition exists. As a result, the system operates at a rate equivalent to a seven count, but appears to operate on 7.5 counts, for an ideal operating condition. This type of operation avoids any problems of backlash or the like which could occur in the event that a static or dead-band operating condition were permitted.

In other words, if the added alternate count is not supplied, the controller would tend to cause the warp rate to be 7.5 counts rather than 7. That is, if the input switch is initially set to count (7), and the warp actually rotates at a rate equivalent to seven counts, the count would reach the all-zero condition. This condition would cause decoding logic 79 to indicate a slow condition and the warp would speed up until a rate equivalent to eight counts results wherein a fast condition is indicated by decoding logic 79. Now the warp rotational rate is slowed down until the desired seven count rate is obtained. However, this will again cause a speed-up of warp rotation since a slow condition is indicated. It can be seen that the actual rate then will oscillate between seven and eight counts for an average rate of 7.5 counts.

When the additional alternate count is externally The logic equations for the operation of the circuit are suggested in Table II reproduced infra. The letter designations relate to the bit positions of the signals as produced by down counter 70. It is readily apparent that the slow and fast signals are readily ascertained, for example, by detecting and/or observing the most significant bit at each clock pulse. The other logic 5 equations are relatively self-evident.

TABLE II LOGIC EQUATIONS SLOW L C FAST L C In order to better understand the operation of the adjustable dividers, adjustable divider 50 is shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, shaft sensor 15 is shown connected via line 32 to the clock input terminal of J-K flip-flops and 101. The J1 and K1 inputs of flip-flop 100 are connected to and constantly receive a +V signal which is equivalent to a high input signal. As is well known in the operation of J-K flip flops, when both of the input signals are high, a clock signal will cause toggle operation wherein the output signal levels are reversed. Conversely, when both of the inputs are low level signals, no change in the output signal levels will occur in response to the application of a clock signal. Therefore, flip-flop 100 will change state with the application of each clock signal on line 32. If it is initially assumed that the m signal is a low level signal, a clock pulse will cause flip-flop 100 to change states wherein the 61 signal switches to the high level. The flip-flop will remain in this condition until the next clock pulse wherein the G output signal will switch to the low level. This signal reversing operation will continue so that flip-flop 100 produces output signals at one half the frequency rate of the input signals at line 32. Clearly, with the application of high level input signals at the J2 and K2 inputs, flip-flop 101 will operate in the same fashion.

However, the signals to the .12, K2 inputs of flip-flop 101 are controlled by gate 67 which produces the output signal 2. Moreover, the operating condition of gate 67 is, in part at least, controlled by input signal X noted supra. That is, if it is initially assumed that the proper operating or normal condition of the system exists, the signal X is a continuous high level signal which is supplied to one input of gate 67. This signal, in effect, enables gate 67 wherein the output signal Z is an inverse function of signal Q1 applied to another input of gate 67. That is, signal Z will have the same frequency but opposite polarity of signal Q l. Consequently, the J2, K2 input terminals will receive high level signals for fifty percent of the operating time and low level signals for the remaining time. Thus, it is seen that when signal Z is high, a clock pulse will produce, for example, a high level output signal at Q2. However, since signal Z is one half the frequency of the clock pulse, signal Z will be a low level signal upon application of the next clock signal. As noted supra, flip-flop 101 will not change state when both input signals are low. Consequently, output signal Q2 remains a high level signal. In the meantime, signal Z switches to the high level before the next clock signal wherein the next clock signal will effect a change in the output conditions of flip-flop 101. Therefore, on the third clock signal, output signal Q2 switches to the low level and remains low until the fifth clock signal is produced concurrently with a high level signal Z to permit changes in the output signal O2 in response to a clock signal. Clearly, signal Q2 is one half the frequency of signal Z and, thus, one quarter the frequency of the clock signal.

Conversely, if signal X is a low level signal indicating an abnormal operating condition, the output signal produced by gate 67 is clamped in the high level. Thus, signal has no effect on the operation of gate 67 and/or flip-flop 101. Inasmuch as signal Z remains at the high level, flip-flop 101 is now in condition to change output signal states upon application of each clock signal. Thus, the condition described supra relative to flip-flop 100 applies to flip-flop 101 wherein the frequency of signal Q2 is one half the clock signal frequency. Thus, depending upon the condition of signal X, adjustable divider 50 may be considered as having a divide-by-one or a divide-by-two function. The operation of adjustable divider 50 is reflected in the operation of divider 67.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a logic diagram of adjustable divider 73. The divider circuit is shown, generally, in the dashed outline. The output signal from gate 72 (see FIG. 2) is supplied to the clock terminal CLK 3 of D-type flip-flop 110. In addition, this signal is supplied to one input of NAND gate 113. Another input of gate 113 receives the signal X from the output of inverter 115 which is connected to receive the signal X from buffer 82 as shown in FIG. 2. Signal X is also supplied to an input terminal of NAND gate 112. The other input of gate 112 is connected to outy t terminal Q3 of flip-flop 110. Output terminal of Q3 flip-flop 110 is connected to input terminal D3 thereof.

The output terminals of gates 113 and 1 l2 (i.e. R and S, respectively) are connected to input terminals of NAND gate 114. Output terminal T of gate 1 14 is connected to the clock CLK 4 terminal of D-type flip-flop 111. Output terminal a of flip-flop 111 is returned to input terminal D4 thereof. Output terminal Q4 of flipflop 1 11 is connected to further stages of down counter (see FIG. 2).

In considering the operation of the circuit, signal X is normally a high level or positive signal when the system is operating within the prescribed operational limits. This high level signal is supplied to gate 112 and is inverted by inverter 115 wherein a low level signal is supplied to gate 113. Since NAND gates require all positive input signals to produce a negative or low level output signal, the output signal at terminal R (hereinafter, signal R) of gate 113 is clamped at the high level in response to the low level signal X. Therefore, regardless of the signal condition on line 116 from gate 72, signal R is a high level signal.

A D-type flip-flop operates such that the signal applied at the D input is, upon application of a clock signal, transferred to the Q output terminal of this flipflop. In addition, the 6 output signal will be of the opposite level from the Q signal. Consequently, with the configuration shown, having signal Q 3 returned to input terminal D3, the signal level at terminal Q3 will switch upon application of each clock signal along line 116. This operation produces signals Q3 having one half the frequency of the signals on line 116.

These alternating signals Q3 are supplied to gate 112 along with the positive X signal. When signal O3 is positive signal S at the output of gate 112 is negative and vice versa. That is, the positive signal X essentially enables gate 112 which is then controlled by signal Q3. Inasmuch as signal R has been defined as clamped at the high level, signal S similarly controls the operation of gate 1 14 and, thus, signal T at the output of gate 114. It is clear that signal T has a frequency which is the same as the signal Q3 which is one half the frequency of the signalsupplied on line 116. The similarity in circuit configurations of flip-flops and 111 is readily apparent. Consequently, the operation of flip-flop 111 is substantially the same wherein output signal O4 is one half the frequency of the clock signal T. As a result, signal O4 is equal to one fourth the frequency of the signal supplied on line 116 when signal X is positive and indicative of normal operation.

However, when abnormal operation is detected, signal X changes to the low level and is supplied to gate 112. In addition, inverter supplies the high level signal X to gate 113. Now gate 112 is clamped by the low level input signal and produces a high level output signal S. Consequently, regardless of the operation of signals on line 116 or the operation of flip-flop 110,

gate 112 produces a constant high level output signal S. On the contrary, signal R produced by gate 113 is a direct function of and the same frequency as the signal produced on line 116. That is, if a high level signal is produced on line 116, gate 113 produces a low level signal R. Conversely, a low level signal on line 116 produces a high level signal R from gate 113.

Again, gate 114 is, essentially, enabled by the high level input signal S and produces high or low level output signals which are of opposite polarity to but of the same frequency as signal R. Therefore, the signals applied to clock input CLK 4 of flip-flop 111 are of the same frequency as the signals supplied on line 1116. Consequently, with the operation of gate 111, output signals Q4 are of one half the frequency of the signals on line 116. Therefore, in accordance with the level of signal X, signals Q4 are one half or one fourth the frequency of the signals on line 116. Inasmuch as flip-flop 111 may be considered to be the first stage in down counter 70, flip-flop 110 and, thus, adjustable divider 73 may be considered to have a divide-by-one or a ditended to be limitative of the invention. Those skilled in the art may devise modifications which may be made to this system but which fall within the purview of the inventive concepts shown and disclosed. The figures and the description related thereto are not intended to,

in any way, limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination,

first input means for supplying a predetermined input signal,

second input means for supplying a regularly recurring input signal, third input means for supplying an input signal having a variable frequency rate,

logic means for receiving the input signals from said first, second and third input means and for producing an output signal representative of a relationship between said input signals from said first and third input means as a function of the input signals from said second input means, and

utilization means connected to receive said output signal from said logic means.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said utilization means includes a variable speed drive device which has the speed thereof controlled as a function of said output signal from said logic means.

3. The combination recited in claim 1 including counter means connectedto receive said input signals from said first and third input means and to supply signals to said logic means.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 including pulse shaping means connected between said third input means and said counter means.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 including control means for selectively supplying some of said regularly recurring input signals from said second input means to said counter means to affect the count relationship between said input signals supplied to said counter means by said first and third input means.

6. The combination recited in claim 5 wherein said control means includes at least one bistable means for supplying a signal to said counter means in response to alternate ones of said regularly recurring input signals supplied by said second input means, and

pulse delay means for controlling the application of I I the signal from said bistable means to said counter means as a function of said regularly recurring signals supplied by said second input means.

7. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said pulse delay means includes a pair of logic gates connected in series,

energy storage means connected between said pair of logic gates whereby the second logic gate is triggered only after the first logic gate has been triggered and caused sufficient energy to be stored in said energy storage means to trigger said second logic gate,

one-shot circuit means connected to said second logic gate to receive signals therefrom and to produce an output signal of predetermined length in response to a signal from said second logic gate, and

an AND gate connected to receive signals from said bistable means and said one shot circuit means and to supply a signal to said counter means upon the concurrent application of prescribed signals, thereby to selectively insert a count signal into said counter means in addition to the variable frequency signals from said third input means.

8. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said first input means includes manually controlled switches.

9. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second and third input means include sensors for detecting motion of separate devices.

10. The combination recited in claim 1 including pulse shaping means for supplying control signals to said logic means in response to said regularly recurring signals from said second input means.

11. The combination recited in claim 1 including buffer means connected between said logic means and said utilization means,

said second input means connected to supply said regularly recurring signals to said buffer means such that said buffer means supplies signals from said logic means to said utilization means only in response to a signal from said second input means.

12. The combination recited in claim 1 including first and second adjustable divider means connected to receive signals from said first and second input means respectively, and

said means connecting said logic means to said first and second adjustable divider means to selectively adjust the dividing rate thereof.

13. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said logic means includes counter means connected to receive said predetermined input signal from said first input means to establish an-initial signal condition in said counter means and to receive said variable fre quency input signal from said third input means to alter said initial; signal condition in said counter means,

decoding means for detecting the signal conditions at said counter means and producing an output signal representative of said signal condition,

output buffer means for selectively transferring the output signal from said decoding means to said utilization means in response to a signal from said second input means.

i 14; The combination recited in claim 13 including pulse shaping means connected to receive said regularly recurring signals from said second input means, and

means connecting said output buffer means to said pulse shaping means and to said counter means whereby the operation of said counter means and said pulse shaping means is selectively and concurrently altered by a prescribed signal from said output buffer means.

15." The combination recited in claim 1 including buffer gate means connected between said first input means and said logic means,

said buffer gate means being selectively rendered operative in response to a signal produced by said second input means.

16. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said first input means comprises a plurality of manually controlled switches associated with a knitting machine and said predetermined input signal represents a desired yarn length to be used in the knitting machine operation,

said second input means comprises means for detecting the operation of a direct drive means whereby the speed of the knitting machine operation is detected, said third input means comprises means for detecting the operation of the yarn supply wherein the variation in speed of the yarn supply is detected, and

said utilization means includes a variable speed drive means for selectively altering the speed of said yarn supply whereby a prescribed relation between the yarn supply and the knitting machine operation is retained.

17. A control system comprising first sensor means for producing signals representative of motion of a first device,

second sensor means for producing signals representative of motion of a second device,

input means for producing a signal representative of a predetermined value,

first counter means for selectively receiving signals in parallel from said input means in response to a signal from said first sensor means,

said first counter means further receiving signals in series from said second sensor means, decoding means connected to receive signals from said first counter means which signals are representative of a relationship between the signals supplied to said first counter means in series and in parallel, output means, and

control means connected to receive signals from said decoding means and to drive said output means in accordance with the signals from said decoding means in response to a signal from said first sensor means.

18. The control system recited in claim 17 including circuit means connected to periodically produce an output signal as a function of signals from said first sensor means and to supply said output signal to said first counter means in addition to signals supplied to said first counter means by said second sensor means.

19.. The control system recited in claim 17 including second counter means connected to receive signals from said first sensor means, said first and second counter means each including at least one portion thereof which can selectively vary the counting operation of the respective counters.

20. The control system recited in claim 17 wherein each said portion of said first and second counter means is connected to receive a signal from said decoding means which selectively and concurrently changes the counting operation of the counters.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3,7 ,532 Date 2/25/73 Inventor(s) I Adrian I (F. Dorsp an ag d. 01. I. A d n: ns

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 5 4, change "down rom" to --down from--.

Column 8, line 22, change "X" (second occurrenceyto "i line 25, change "X" (first occurrence) to "if".

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of April 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I'LFLETCI-IEEQJR. C. MARSHALL DAMN Attestirig Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. In combination, first input means for supplying a predetermined input signal, second input means for supplying a regularly recurring input signal, third input means for supplying an input signal having a variable frequency rate, logic means for receiving the input signals from said first, second and third input means and for producing an output signal representative of a relationship Between said input signals from said first and third input means as a function of the input signals from said second input means, and utilization means connected to receive said output signal from said logic means.
 2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said utilization means includes a variable speed drive device which has the speed thereof controlled as a function of said output signal from said logic means.
 3. The combination recited in claim 1 including counter means connected to receive said input signals from said first and third input means and to supply signals to said logic means.
 4. The combination recited in claim 3 including pulse shaping means connected between said third input means and said counter means.
 5. The combination recited in claim 4 including control means for selectively supplying some of said regularly recurring input signals from said second input means to said counter means to affect the count relationship between said input signals supplied to said counter means by said first and third input means.
 6. The combination recited in claim 5 wherein said control means includes at least one bistable means for supplying a signal to said counter means in response to alternate ones of said regularly recurring input signals supplied by said second input means, and pulse delay means for controlling the application of the signal from said bistable means to said counter means as a function of said regularly recurring signals supplied by said second input means.
 7. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said pulse delay means includes a pair of logic gates connected in series, energy storage means connected between said pair of logic gates whereby the second logic gate is triggered only after the first logic gate has been triggered and caused sufficient energy to be stored in said energy storage means to trigger said second logic gate, one-shot circuit means connected to said second logic gate to receive signals therefrom and to produce an output signal of predetermined length in response to a signal from said second logic gate, and an AND gate connected to receive signals from said bistable means and said one shot circuit means and to supply a signal to said counter means upon the concurrent application of prescribed signals, thereby to selectively insert a count signal into said counter means in addition to the variable frequency signals from said third input means.
 8. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said first input means includes manually controlled switches.
 9. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second and third input means include sensors for detecting motion of separate devices.
 10. The combination recited in claim 1 including pulse shaping means for supplying control signals to said logic means in response to said regularly recurring signals from said second input means.
 11. The combination recited in claim 1 including buffer means connected between said logic means and said utilization means, said second input means connected to supply said regularly recurring signals to said buffer means such that said buffer means supplies signals from said logic means to said utilization means only in response to a signal from said second input means.
 12. The combination recited in claim 1 including first and second adjustable divider means connected to receive signals from said first and second input means respectively, and said means connecting said logic means to said first and second adjustable divider means to selectively adjust the dividing rate thereof.
 13. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said logic means includes counter means connected to receive said predetermined input signal from said first input means to establish an initial signal condition in said counter means and to receive said variable frequency input signal from said third input means to alter said initial signal condition in said counter means, decoding means for deTecting the signal conditions at said counter means and producing an output signal representative of said signal condition, output buffer means for selectively transferring the output signal from said decoding means to said utilization means in response to a signal from said second input means.
 14. The combination recited in claim 13 including pulse shaping means connected to receive said regularly recurring signals from said second input means, and means connecting said output buffer means to said pulse shaping means and to said counter means whereby the operation of said counter means and said pulse shaping means is selectively and concurrently altered by a prescribed signal from said output buffer means.
 15. The combination recited in claim 1 including buffer gate means connected between said first input means and said logic means, said buffer gate means being selectively rendered operative in response to a signal produced by said second input means.
 16. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said first input means comprises a plurality of manually controlled switches associated with a knitting machine and said predetermined input signal represents a desired yarn length to be used in the knitting machine operation, said second input means comprises means for detecting the operation of a direct drive means whereby the speed of the knitting machine operation is detected, said third input means comprises means for detecting the operation of the yarn supply wherein the variation in speed of the yarn supply is detected, and said utilization means includes a variable speed drive means for selectively altering the speed of said yarn supply whereby a prescribed relation between the yarn supply and the knitting machine operation is retained.
 17. A control system comprising first sensor means for producing signals representative of motion of a first device, second sensor means for producing signals representative of motion of a second device, input means for producing a signal representative of a predetermined value, first counter means for selectively receiving signals in parallel from said input means in response to a signal from said first sensor means, said first counter means further receiving signals in series from said second sensor means, decoding means connected to receive signals from said first counter means which signals are representative of a relationship between the signals supplied to said first counter means in series and in parallel, output means, and control means connected to receive signals from said decoding means and to drive said output means in accordance with the signals from said decoding means in response to a signal from said first sensor means.
 18. The control system recited in claim 17 including circuit means connected to periodically produce an output signal as a function of signals from said first sensor means and to supply said output signal to said first counter means in addition to signals supplied to said first counter means by said second sensor means.
 19. The control system recited in claim 17 including second counter means connected to receive signals from said first sensor means, said first and second counter means each including at least one portion thereof which can selectively vary the counting operation of the respective counters.
 20. The control system recited in claim 17 wherein each said portion of said first and second counter means is connected to receive a signal from said decoding means which selectively and concurrently changes the counting operation of the counters. 